The BlueGreens look towards playoffs as they cap off their regular season with a win over Sioux Falls
FC vs. Sioux Falls Thunder FC
Public Schools Stadium | Duluth, MN
July 15th, 2022 | Game #14 Current 2022: Records (W-L-T):
Duluth: 7-0-1; 4-2-0 at home/on the road
Sioux Falls: 2-3-2; 1-3-3 at home/on the road
Starting XI: Sam Thornton, Blake Perry, Wynand Wessels, Paul Bobai, Cian Gantley, Kostyantyn Domaratskyy, Felipe Arteaga, Martin Grzywa, Jake Starling, Jessi Juarez, Brendan Dally.
57’ – Blake Perry (DFC)
62’ – Wynand Wessels (DFC)
75’ – Rory Carlson (DFC)
79’ – Tyler Limmer (SFFC)
85’ – Ethan Glissendorf (SFFC)
Duluth would play host again for the third game in a row to finally finish off the regular season against the Sioux Falls Thunder. Another glorious night for some soccer would turn into some glory for the boys as they took down the Sioux Falls Thunder 3-2. Just like every other loss, the Thunder have taken this season, this one was also by a single goal. This, however, would not have happened if it were not for a late game comeback that kept the game exciting when it started to lack some passion. The BlueGreens will now be locked in with their sights set on the playoffs and what team they will be squaring off against next.
The match started out with some solid energy from both sides but at the same time, some enthusiasm and finesse were lacking. Despite that, they did put a tremendous amount of pressure on them defensively in the first half and basically all the way up to the last few minutes of the match. Most of their clears in the first half led to an interception or a quick pursuit and turnover by the Duluth defense. Many of these weren’t even close to the net instead, they got stopped just about ten yards past half field. It wasn’t just good defense by the defenders and midfielders but the forwards got in on some of the action as well. We saw a couple of times as players like Blake Perry Wynand Wessels were able to sneak their way into passing lanes or opposing player space to cause turnovers in their end of the field. Many of our chances were a result of these victories on the field but none of which led to any score being put on the board. Their keeper was really the only player on the Thunder keeping them in this game as a handful of tough saves prevented them from getting down early.
The Second half started much like the first with shots flying from everywhere for Duluth yet still no luck burying the ball. Sam Thornton would have by far the most shots of the game and uncharacteristically sent them all high, wide, or right into the keepers mitts. This frustration for the Bluegreens would finally be broken by non-other but Blake Perry. A good-looking clear to Sam Thornton would spring open a sprinting Perry who received the pass from Thornton and rushed the net. The rush worked as he was gently able to chip the ball over the keeper into the netting for the first goal of the game. Then the boys started to feel the pressure taken off a little and started to play a bit more relaxed. The Blugreens were able two score the next two as well of a Wynand Wessels Penalty kick and then minutes after that by Rory Carlson. Carlson’s first shot was deflected but he stuck with it and was able to put up the crucial third goal for Duluth.
With the game seemingly over and with Sioux Falls only being able to put a couple of shots on net all game, fans began to leave. This must of kickstarted the Thunder as they were able to come back and score two goals in the last 11 minutes of regulation play. The first came off an awkward deflection by the Duluth Defense that set up Tyler Limmer for an easy put back goal. The second was of a solid corner kick that ignited their offense into a couple of nifty passes and a goal by Ethan Glissendorf to make it 2-3. The last five minutes were halfway intense as the score narrowed but the BlueGreens picked it up. The Thunder were unable to get near the goal in the remaining minutes and thus the horn blew to confirm another BlueGreen win.
By: Ryan Tigner
